For the business end of the season, Liverpool relied on Ozan Kabak, Nat Phillips and Rhys Williams at the heart of their defence to help them qualify for the Champions League. However, Jurgen Klopp must sign a new centre back to be competitive next season, according to former Wigan Athletic manager Paul Jewell.

Phillips, who has been a rock at the back since being handed a regular run of games since February, has been linked with a move away this summer with Liverpool unable to guarantee him the game time he requires.

There have been reports suggesting that Liverpool are set to sign Ibrahima Konate from RB Leipzig this summer, with the young Frenchman either able to play as a right-back or centre back after helping guide the Bundesliga side to a second-place finish.

This season was a freak one for Liverpool with all the injuries and centre backs pairings they had to use but Klopp can't take the risk of it happening again so he must sign a new centre back in the summer, according to Jewell, who spoke exclusively to The Transfer Tavern:

"Van Dijk is arguably the best centre back in the world so any team would miss him and Gomez complements him well. It's quite interesting because Liverpool lost their two centre-backs, but have struggled to score goals.

"It's been quite a bizarre season really but even when they get those two back fit, I still think they need another centre back if they're going to challenge next year."

Liverpool's main man at the back, Virgil van Dijk, has decided to not participate in the European Championships this summer, as he wants to focus on being ready for the start of next season with Klopp's side eager to regain their Premier League crown.

It took a final day victory against Crystal Palace in front of 10,000 fans at Anfield to secure Liverpool's spot in the Champions League next year and despite their struggles, they ended up finishing third.